THE Senate’s tentative start of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on June 30 will push through despite the arrest of his father, former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon said the arrest and the sending of the former president to the Netherlands to face trial before the International Criminal Court will not affect the impeachment trial of the vice president.

“Duterte’s arrest will have no effect. This is a totally distinct and separate case from the impeachment complaint,” Bongalon said in a report by Philippine Star.

The House of Representatives impeached the vice president following the endorsement of the fourth impeachment complaint by 240 lawmakers.

Bongalon suggests that since this is a unique and complex legal matter, the Supreme Court should be the one to make a decision regarding the issue.

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino finds crafting impeachment rules technically simple but personally challenging, claiming that it goes against his principles.

“I consider the impeachment process very divisive,” Tolentino said in the same report.

Tolentino hopes the nation prioritizes progress and governance over political conflicts.(Nikelyn Pahayahay, BiPSU Comm Intern)

• Tags
• #Vice President Sara Duterte
• #Rodrigo Duterte
• #Impeachment Trial
• #Jil Bongalon
• #The Netherlands
• #House of Representatives
• #Francis Tolentino